NORPIC TEACHING STAFF & Supervisors

Dr. Jennifer Welsh - Psychologist at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay

Dr. Welsh completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1999.  She moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, in 2001 to complete her Master and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Psychology at Lakehead University.  In 2006, Dr. Welsh completed her internship with the Kingston Internship Consortium, affiliated with Queen’s University.  That year of training focused on working with individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan.  Dr. Welsh accepted a position working with children and adolescents in rural and northern communities in 2007.  Her work is based mainly in assessment and consultation, and she enjoys the variety and experience of being a generalist practitioner.  Establishing collaborative working practices with other disciplines and agencies who serve the north is an integral component to her work.  Dr. Welsh is an independent and registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.  Personally, she enjoys traveling to the East Coast often to visit family, while scrapbooking and snowshoeing are favorite leisure activities.  

Dr. Aislin Mushquash - Psychologist at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

Dr. Aislin Mushquash is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Lakehead University and the Director of the Coping Research Lab. Research in her lab focuses on understanding how and why people cope with adverse experiences or stressful life events, and evaluating innovative e-mental health solutions to support adaptive coping. Dr. Mushquash is also a Clinical Psychologist with Dilico Anishniabek Family Care where she provides assessment, intervention (individual and group), and consultation for First Nation’s children, youth, adults, and families. Dr. Mushquash incorporates techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and dialectical behaviour therapy into her clinical practice. She has received specialized training in providing dialectical behaviour therapy and prolonged exposure.

Dr. Elaine Toombs - Psychologist at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

Dr. Elaine Toombs is a registered clinical psychologist at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. She works in 13 First Nation communities in the Robinson Superior Treaty Area to provide on-reserve assessment, intervention, and consultation services for First Nation children, adolescents, and adults. Although Dr. Toombs approaches her work predominately from a trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioural lens, she integrates various aspects of additional culturally-relevant psychological treatment models, including acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Toombs is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Banting postdoctoral fellow and adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology at Lakehead University. Her research primarily focuses on First Nations mental health using community-based methods, including how various culturally-relevant interventions can be used to improve health outcomes in First Nation communities. As a co-investigator, Dr. Toombs has held over 1.5 million dollars in research funding to date, and has published over 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts in a variety of scientific journals on topics related to First Nation mental health, resilience, and wellbeing.

Kerri Andrychuk - Psych. Associate at Chronic Pain Program

Kerri-Lynne Capulak Andrychuk has been working at St. Joseph’s Care Group since 1998 in the Chronic Pain Management Program.  She was on the team that created this program in March of 1998.  She obtained her HBA in psychology from Lakehead University and her Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth.  Ms. Capulak Andrychuk obtained her Psychological Associate designation in 2014.  Her role as a psychological associate on the Chronic Pain Management Program involves individual and group psychotherapy. She uses an integrative approach to psychotherapy that includes EMDR, Interpersonal therapy, CBT and CPT.  She was certified in EMDR in 2018.  

Dr. Alex Drawson - Psychologist with Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services

Dr. Drawson completed her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology at Lakehead University and her residency with the Northern Ontario Psychology Internship Consortium in 2018. She is currently employed as a psychologist with St. Joseph’s Care Group Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services (CAPS). She works with children and adolescents, diagnosing and treating a wide range of presenting problems including anxiety, depression, behavioural difficulties, trauma, learning and attentional issues, and psychosis. Dr. Drawson primarily practices from a CBT orientation, but is integrative and incorporates a variety of evidence-based approaches (DBT, ACT, mindfulness). She also manages a program of applied research at CAPS. Her research interests include the impact of sleep and screen use on pediatric mental health, transdiagnostic approaches to the assessment and treatment of mental disorders, rural and northern community well being,  and measure development and validation. She has published in several peer-reviewed journals and presented her research at over 30 national and international conferences.

Dr. Missy Teatero - Psychologist with Mental Health Outpatient Program

Dr. Teatero completed her masters and PhD at Lakehead University and her internship with NORPIC in 2013-2014.  She has worked with SJCG since 2016 and has an interest in Post Partum work, assessment, and evidenced based trauma work.

Dr. Allie Kerr - Psychologist (Supervised Practice ) 

Mental Health Outpatient Program - SJCG

Dr. Kerr completed her PhD at Lakehead University and her residency with NORPIC in 2022.  She accepted a position with the Mental Health Outpatient Program in 2022.

Currently on Maternity Leave

Dr. Nicole Keir - Psychologist (Supervised Practice) 

In Patient Mental Health Rehabilitation Program - SJCG

Dr. Keir obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Lakehead University and completed her Residency training at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, Ontario. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the foundation of Dr. Keir’s therapeutic approach, however, in practice, she uses an integrative approach that also includes ACT, DBT, Emotion-Focused, and Compassion-Focused approaches. Currently, she works on an interdisciplinary team as part of the Mental Health Rehabilitation Program (MHRP) at St. Joseph’s Hospital. This inpatient program provides longer-term services to individuals with primary psychotic disorders.  Accordingly, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) is the primary treatment model. Dr. Keir is passionate about providing evidence-based, compassionate care to individuals with chronic, severe mental illness. At the MHRP she provides both individual and group intervention, and conducts both cognitive and psychodiagnostic assessments. Outside of work, Dr. Keir can be found enjoying local restaurants and breweries, watching any one of the Real Housewives franchises, or taking in the unique and beautiful landscape of Thunder Bay via sailing, hiking, or cross country skiing.  

Dr. Chantal Labonté – Psychologist with Developmental Services - SLFNHA

Dr. Chantal Labonté is a registered psychologist who completed her PhD in School and Clinical Child Psychology at the University of Alberta. Chantal completed her residency with NORPIC in 2021. Following her residency, she accepted a position with Developmental Services with Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority where she mainly provides assessment, intervention and consultation for Indigenous children, youth and their families. She takes a child-centered, strength-focused, neuro-affirming, and developmental approach to her practice. She incorporates cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy and solution-focused methods in her clinical practice.

Dr. Kerry Wells - Psychologist with Developmental Services - SLFNHA

Dr. Kerry Wells, C. Psych. is a registered psychologist who completed his Ph. D. in Clinical-Developmental Psychology at York University. Kerry has worked with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), intellectual/developmental disabilities, and a variety of other neurodevelopmental disorders since 2001. He has providing services in a variety of settings including schools, government programs and agencies, and residential treatment programs. Currently, Kerry is a consulting psychologist with Dalton and Associates and provides clinical supervision for IBI/ABA programs in the Toronto, Central East, and Central West. Kerry provides psychological and diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents. He also provides counselling and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for children and adolescents.

Dr. Jennifer Walsh - Psychologist with NODIN Mental Health - SLFNHA

Jennifer Walsh is certified as a psychologist by the College of Psychologists of Ontario and is listed with the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.  Jennifer holds a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from York University, a Masters of Arts Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler, Chicago and a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. Jennifer is a member of the Ontario College of Psychologists, the American Psychological Association, the Association of Psychological Science, and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

Jennifer has over 15 years of clinical experience in a variety of therapeutic techniques and modalities. Her style is direct and compassionate with an aim toward facilitating and supporting the goals of her clients.

Dr. Suzanne Chomycz - Psychologist with Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology

Dr. Chomycz received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Lakehead University. She is licensed to practice in Ontario and currently resides in her hometown of Thunder Bay. She works both as a clinician and clinical supervisor in a group private practice setting, providing psychotherapy and assessment services to children, adolescents, and adults with various presenting concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety, trauma, learning/attentional difficulties, autism, etc.). She primarily utilizes a strengths-based and cognitive-behavioural framework when working with clients; however, she also integrates mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches.

Dr. Jennifer Long - Neuropsychologist with Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology

Dr. Long is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, in the areas of clinical neuropsychology and clinical psychology, with children and adolescents. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in clinical neuropsychology, in the CPA accredited program at the University of Windsor. Dr. Long provides assessment, therapy, parenting support, and consultation services to children, adolescents, and their parents. She also provides neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments, as well as follow-up parenting support and consultation. Presenting diagnoses or referral questions include learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury/concussion, neurological disorders, prematurity, and mental health disorders. Dr. Long provides individual therapy and associated parenting support to children and adolescents with a variety of difficulties and disorders such as anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation, behaviour problems, and interpersonal difficulties. Dr. Long completed her supervised practice at two private practices in Ottawa. At the Ottawa Centre for Cognitive Therapy, she provided individual therapy and received extensive training in cognitive behavioural therapy and related therapies such as dialectic behaviour therapy, metacognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. At Queensview Professional Services, she provided assessments and further developed her neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessment skills. She also completed a CPA accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) where she participated in assessment, intervention, consultation, and research activities. Dr. Long is committed to the scientist-practitioner model and evidence-based practice in assessment and psychotherapy. 

Dr. Staci Person, Psychologist with Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology

Dr. Person obtained her Ph.D. from Lakehead University and completed her predoctoral residency in New Brunswick at Horizon Health Network in 2019-2020. She is a member of Lake Helen First Nation and is currently working as a licensed clinical psychologist in a group private practice setting. In her current role, she conducts psychological assessments and provides individual psychotherapy to children and adolescents with various presenting issues (e.g., autism, attentional issues, learning challenges, depression, anxiety, and trauma). Although she practices primarily from a cognitive behavioural orientation, her work also includes the integration of age-appropriate dialectical behavioural, acceptance and commitment, and mindfulness-based approaches. Outside of her role as a clinician, she continues to be involved in research focused on child strengths and Indigenous wellbeing. 

Dr. Kristine Knauff - Psychologist with Adult Inpatient Mental Health & Brief Intervention Treatment Team (BITT)

Dr. Knauff obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Lakehead University in 2014.  During her training, she completed her predoctoral residency in St. John’s, NL at the Memorial University Counselling Centre.  Currently, Dr. Knauff splits her time between the Adult Mental Health program and the Brief Intervention Treatment Team at TBRHSC.  However, she has also worked with the Mental Health Outpatient Program and the Regional Bariatric Care Centre.  In her current role, she is responsible for facilitating inpatient groups, conducting psychodiagnostic and cognitive assessments, and providing brief interventions on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.  Although she practices from a cognitive behavioural foundation, her work also involves integration of dialectical behavioural, mindfulness, and solution focused approaches.  

Sherri Tinnes - Psychological Associate with Brief Intervention Treatment Team (BITT)

Sherri-Anne Capulak Tinnes obtained her undergraduate degree in psychology from Lakehead University and then went on to complete her masters in clinical psychology from University of Minnesota-Duluth and graduated in 1998.  Sherri has been employed with TBRHSC since April of 2000, starting out on the Pediatric Unit, followed by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit (CAMHU) until 2014.  Since May of 2014, Sherri has worked in the Brief Intervention Treatment Program (BITT) at TBRHSC.  Sherri obtained her Psychological Associate title in December of 2014 and has competencies in both adult and adolescents.  Her professional interests include infertility counseling and critical incident stress management for first responders.  She is certified in EMDR and is an integrative clinician who uses CBT, DBT and strength based modalities geared to the individual client.  Sherri has a twin sister who is a psychological associate employed at SJCG. 

Heather Kozak - Psychological Associate with the Brief Intervention Treatment Team (BITT)

Heather Kozak is a Psychological Associate with the Brief Intervention Treatment Team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The program provides individual and group therapy to individuals presenting to the ER in mental health crisis. Heather attended and received her Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in 2002. She has worked in outpatient psychology since 2002. Heather was a member of the Comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour therapy team for a number of years. Heather has been the Chairperson for the Mental Illness Awareness Week Committee since 2013.

Sharon Howk-Ventrudo - Psychological Associate with the Centre for Complex Diabetes Care

Sharon Howk-Ventrudo is a Psychological Associate with the Centre for Complex Diabetes Care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  The Centre provides enhanced support to patients with diabetes and related, collective health issues that require more intensive strategies.